MONK PRAYING FOR AN END TO TRANSFER BLUES
Boss and players worry ban leaves Birmingham under-powered
BIRMINGHAM boss Garry Monk is frustrated over Blues’ transfer shambles just four days before the season kicks off against Norwich.
Monk took charge at St Andrews in March after being promised significant funds by Far East owners Trillion Trophy Asia.
He did well to keep Blues up on the final day last term, as they celebrated a shock win over Fulham (right), after inheriting a side in freefall.
But Monk’s hopes of a major summer rebuild have been halted by a transfer embargo from the EFL for breaching Financial Fair Play.
After two years of fighting fires, Birmingham are doing it again before a ball has been kicked. Chief executive Xuandong Ren has pledged to deal with the crisis and is in talks with the EFL to try to get the ban lifted.
But Birmingham’s only summer recruit, £2million defender Kristian Pedersen from Union Berlin in June, is still sweating on clearance to play in the Championship.
Monk admits: “We are still waiting on some clarity on the whole situation. When it comes through we’ll be able to see what we can do.”
Neither the EFL or City are commenting publicly on the embargo. Mirror Sport understands Pedersen has international clearance, but has not yet been registered with the EFL.
The Danish left-back played in Saturday’s friendly draw with Brighton as Monk insisted: “He’s looking forward to the new season.”
Ren has promised Monk that Pedersen (right) will be available to play against Norwich on Saturday on the opening day, but time is running out.
It also gives Monk a major headache in goal where he expected to bring in a new keeper and froze out experienced pair David Stockdale and Tomasz Kuszczak. Last season’s No.1 Stockdale, who has two years left on his contract, has been training with the kids and was excluded from Blues’ tour of Austria. Monk has played youngster Connal Trueman, but admits it is not ideal. Monk said: “It’s a position we do need and want to strengthen, but Connal has done fantastically pre-season.” City are also light up front, where Isaac Vassell is at least a month away from fitness after cruciate ligament surgery in November. Lukas Jutkiewicz and Che Adams are the only other recognised senior strikers after loanee Sam Gallagher returned to Southampton. Birmingham, who have survived on the final day in the last two seasons, appear under-strength ahead of the transfer window closing on Thursday week.
There has been concern and mounting anger among supporters at the lack of communication from the club’s Chinese directors about the transfer embargo.
But the club last night issued a statement, saying: “We have spent several months working diligently to satisfy the EFL.
“We fully understand supporters’ frustrations over this issue in the wake of recent speculation and rumour. We share those frustrations.
“The club asks supporters to maintain the fabulous and passionate backing they have given to Garry Monk and the team since his appointment – it is hugely appreciated.”